The Trinamul all-India general secretary Abhishek Banerjee used the “outsider” card against the BJP at the party’s “Jonogorjon” rally on Sunday.

“Whose guarantee do you believe in? Modi or Didi? Didi promised Kanyashree, it happened. She said free ration will be provided, she did. She promised swasthya sathi card, she did,” said Abhishek. “Can you have faith in the guarantee of those who cannot understand our language, read and speak Bangla? Can the BJP leaders who come from Delhi read what is written on the back of their dais?”Abhishek reached the Brigade Parade ground around 12.45 pm. At 12.50pm Abhishek climbed onto the dais and for the next 10 minutes walked around the ramp, sometimes waving his hands and bowed down his head.

“This rally proves the upcoming elections will end the reign of the anti-Bengal babus from Delhi, babus from Gujarat, those who use terror,” said Abhishek. “BJP has money, resources, election commission, media, a section of the judiciary, media, the Enforcement Directorate and CBI. We have the people of Bengal with us.”

Abhishek spoke for around 30 minutes during which Mamata Banerjee arrived and took her place on the dais.

“ED and CBI will not vote. It is the people who are going to vote,” Abhishek said, adding that the Trinamul’s fight was not just against the BJP but the Congress and the CPM, along with all the central agencies, indicating that Trinamul is shutting the door on the Congress, both partners in the INDI-Alliance.

Abhishek challenged the prime minister Narendra Modi on a debate on the funds the Centre has released to the Bengal government in the last three fiscal.

“If they can prove they have released any funds for the financial years of 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 I will quit politics. I dare them to issue a white paper on funds that they have released,” Abhishek said. “They are lying on funds. Can you accept the guarantee of liars? Whose guarantee will you accept, Didi or Modi’s?”

The Trinamul chief is likely to announce the names of the candidates for the next Lok Sabha polls during her speech.

“They broke the bust of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, have they apologized? They called our Sikh brother Khalistanis, has the prime minister apologized?” Abhishek asked. “Earlier thieves used to go to jail. Now they join the BJP. The prime minister talks about corruption, while the most corrupt is sitting beside him.”

The Trinamul’s all-India general secretary said, Sunday’s Jonogorjon rally was not the party’s but of the farmers, workers, poor, students and youths, the minorities and those deprived by the centre’s policies.

“The huge crowd here is a clear signal that the BJP’s time has come to an end. Stay with the Trinamul like you always have,” he said.